Hartlepool United bring in Brazil goalkeeper Adriano Basso as coach

Roy Kelly

Dave Jones has brought a taste of Brazil to Hartlepool United after appointing Adriano Basso as his goalkeeper coach.

Pools today officially announced the arrival of the 41-year-old who could be seen working with keepers Joe Fryer and Adam Bartlett at the Northern Gas & Power Stadium ahead of Saturday's match with Wycombe Wanderers.

Jones has been seeking a coach in this area since his arrival in January when he released previous goalkeeping trainer Tony Caig.

Former Pools keeper and assistant boss, Stephen Pears, had worked with the goalies on an informal basis but Basso will now be a key full-time coach at the Racecourse Ground in Duerham and on match-days.

“In terms of goalkeeping experience he’s right up there and he will bring something we need,” said Jones in an interview on www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk.

“As a player he was very committed and when you see where he’s been and what he’s done in the game we’re very lucky to have him at the club.

“We’ll have a look until the end of the season to see if he likes us and we like him but we certainly needed that expertise because it’s a specialist area.

“I’m not a goalkeeper coach and neither are [assistant boss] Kevin [Cooper] or [coach] Alex [Armstrong].

"So in order to give our young goalkeepers the best opportunity we need to bring people in who know what they’re talking about.”

Basso has left FC United of Manchester to take up the job at the Vic.

After moving to England in 2004 he played for Woking before moving to Bristol Citym, where he spent five years, making 182 appearances.

He has also played for Wolves, Hull City and FC United of Manchester, including a Conference North draw with Chorley last month, when he received a red card!